Walnuts May Prevent Breast Cancer

DENVER - Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential
omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce
the risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the
American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting
2009.

Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at
Marshall University School of Medicine, said that while her
study was done with laboratory animals rather than humans,
people should heed the recommendation to eat more walnuts.

"Walnuts are better than cookies, french fries or potato chips
when you need a snack," said Hardman. "We know that a healthy
diet overall prevents all manner of chronic diseases."

Hardman and colleagues studied mice that were fed a diet that
they estimated was the human equivalent of two ounces of walnuts
per day. A separate group of mice were fed a control diet.

Standard testing showed that walnut consumption significantly
decreased breast tumor incidence, the number of glands with a
tumor and tumor size.

"These laboratory mice typically have 100 percent tumor
incidence at five months; walnut consumption delayed those
tumors by at least three weeks," said Hardman.

Molecular analysis showed that increased consumption of omega-3
fatty acids contributed to the decline in tumor incidence, but
other parts of the walnut contributed as well.

"With dietary interventions you see multiple mechanisms when
working with the whole food," said Hardman. "It is clear that
walnuts contribute to a healthy diet that can reduce breast
cancer."

Omega 3 Information: